Sheikh Abdullah: "GCC stance on Egypt has become more unified"

14/11/2013

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister has said that GCC stance has become more unified on Egypt, and the world community should come forward to helping the Arab republic emerge from the current situation.

"We denounce any act of terrorism against Egyptian police, army and people at large," the UAE foreign minister said on Wednesday at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, held here at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sheikh Abdullah said that Egypt is very important to the region, citing its "political and religious weight", noting that "all political forces in Egypt should join hands together for the stability of the country. He also urged the friends of Egypt all over the world to help speed up the negotiations between the IMF, World Bank with Egypt, and play their role in the development of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Answering a question on Iran, Sheikh Abdullah said, "Today we are having the German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle here, and earlier we received the US Secretary of State, John Kerry. These are the officials of the countries who took part in the "P5+1" meeting on Iran in Geneva. This development links us." He further stated that in addition to Iran's disputed nuclear programme, there are many other issues that needs to be discussed, referring to Iranian involvement in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Gulf.

"We hope a change in stance of Iranian President Hasan Rohani's government towards the UAE, especially resolving the dispute over our three islands: Abu Musa, Greater Tunbs and Lesser Tunbs, which are being occupied by Iran."

'We hope Iran will be serious in reassuring its neighbours with the same sincerity of settling the issue of its nuclear dossier .... Iran should also exert similar effort in addressing other regional issues relating to P5+1 meeting on Iran, energy security, regional security and stimulating its domestic economy and attracting investment.' Sheikh Abdullah expressed his hope the new government in Iran would be serious and truthful and have a new start with the UAE as the region holds high hopes that the Iranian policy would see sea changes which require time and tireless effort between us and Iran,' he added.

The UAE foreign minister told reporters that German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle held a meeting today morning with His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. They discussed strong and fraternal bilateral relations between the UAE and Germany, and the Geneva meeting of "P5+1" on Iran.

As far as Emirati-German economic relations, Sheikh Abdullah said that two-way trade exchange crossed the mark of US$ 8 billion, raising the UAE status as the second largest trade partner to Germany in the region.

The minister said :' The German foreign minister is one of many European ministers whom I count on to further develop UAE's ties with Europe. Germany has been an important, true, staunch supporter for the UAE 's quest to obtain a visa waiver to the Schengen states. The German foreign minister, in particular, has played a significant facilitating role in this regard.' Sheikh Abdullah stated that 12,000 German citizens are living and working in the U.A.E., while many Emiratis travel to Germany for study, treatment and tourism.

For his part German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, thanked H.H. Sheikh Abdullah for the hospitality and said that Germany and U.A.E. have strong relations that are thriving in various fields, pointing to many German companies, which are doing business in the U.A.E.

"We want to further develop our relations in economy, trade and tourism sectors and visitors from U.A.E. are welcome in Germany", he added.

He stated that his talks with Sheikh Mohamed covered a broad range of issues of mutual interest.

He noted that 900 German companies maintain positive presence in the U.A.E.

On Schengen visa, he said, "We support visa free entry for U.A.E. nationals, and we have told this to European Union, we hope a positive outcome on the issue, since it will benefit both Germany and U.A.E.

in many ways particularly trade and tourism." Germany, he stated, would be pleased to welcome Emirati visitors for economic, political, trade, tourist, investment and cultural.

Referring to Egypt, the German Foreign Minister advocated the policy of reconciliation and said, " Germany is not favouring any single party and wants all political forces joining together on a comprehensive and holistic solution to the issue." He also welcomed an Israeli announcement to rethink settlements construction plans in the West Bank.

Earlier in the day, Sheikh Abdullah and his German counterpart discussed during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs avenues of bilateral cooperation and friendship and appropriate ways of boosting them.

During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed progress which took place in joint cooperation in several areas and explored means to advance bilateral ties to serve mutual interests.

They two sides also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments and discussed a variety of issues of common concern.